Telford Paralympics star Ricky Balshaw has officially opened two Telford schools in the space of three days.

Old Park Primary School and Children’s Centre in Malinslee was opened on Monday before Mr Balshaw cut the ribbon for a second time at Short Wood Primary School in Wellington on Wednesday.

The talented horserider, who scooped silver in the 2008 paralympics, officially opened the environmentally friendly schools.

Mr Balshaw, of Shawbirch, who suffers from cerebral palsy, rode his horse Deacons Giorgi to medal victory in the equestrian free- style event in Hong Kong.

Short Wood was built following the merger of Barn Farm Infant and Ercall Junior schools, and Old Park after the merger of Langley St Leonards and Malinslee primary schools.

Mr Balshaw said: “It is a privilege to be asked to open these two excellent new schools.”

He added: “I can’t help but feel that the pupils at both schools are very fortunate to have such state of the art sites to learn in and it can surely only help their educational development and sporting prowess.”

Councillor Stephen Burrell, Telford & Wrekin cabinet member for children and young people, said the sportsman was a “wonderful role model for the children and a shining example of how to overcome adversity and succeed”.

Old Park is an “eco” school which took 11 months to build and boasts 19 classrooms with whiteboards, sports hall and gym. It also has a private day nursery and new police, health and community facilities.

Short Wood Primary School on Lime Kiln Lane includes an eco-friendly primary school and nursery, along with a swimming pool regularly used by other schools in the area and a large sports hall with changing rooms.

It also has a new family room, and is the base for the Wellington integrated children’s services team, the Duke of Edinburgh Award co-ordinator, the adventure outreach worker linked to Arthog and the Playing for Success co-ordinator.

By Kirsty Smallman